Atlanta Falcons vs Chicago Bears Betting Preview: Game Analysis
The 3-7 Bears head to Atlanta on Sunday afternoon to take on the 4-6 Falcons. Will the Falcons improve to 5-6 and stay in the NFC playoff hunt? Sportsmemo NFL handicapper Eric Pauly shares his thoughts and makes a free, expert Chicago Bears vs. Atlanta Falcons Week 11 betting pick.
Atlanta Falcons vs Chicago Bears Betting Odds
Sunday, November 20 | Week 11 NFL Betting Notes |
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Point Spread: | Atlanta Falcons -3 vs Chicago Bears |
Total: | o/u 49.5 Points |
Location: | Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA |
Game Time: | 1:00pm ET / 10:00am PT (Odds Above Courtesy of DraftKings) |
TV: | FOX |
Atlanta Falcons vs Chicago Bears Analysis
The Chicago Bears and the Atlanta Falcons have two of the worst defenses in the NFL, and these two teams going head-to-head should be exciting.
Atlanta has exceeded expectations so far this season, but they seem to be regressing currently. These teams play no defense and are solid on offense, so we may be looking at a track meet in Atlanta.
Fields Gaining Confidence
The Bears blew a chance for a big win last week and this team is currently 3-7 and in last place in the NFC North. The Bears did not come into this season with expectations of winning, but they have played well at times this year and have looked like a rejuvenated football team.
On offense, the Bears have really turned the corner as of late. This team began putting Justin Fields in positions to use his legs, and it has worked wonders.
Chicago has scored 33, 29, 32, and 30 points in their last four games since making this adjustment. Fields is still limited as a passer, and he is turnover prone, but this offense at least has some juice. Chicago can pound the rock on the ground and accumulate yards through.
Defense is where this team has all its issues. Chicago traded its best two defenders and it shows. This team has allowed 49, 35, and 31 points in its last three games.
Chicago is at the point where they are signing veterans off waivers and plugging them right into the starting lineup.
The Bears have a minimal pass rush, a very weak linebacking corps, and a young and inexperienced secondary. The Bears know they are rebuilding, but they are currently putting out arguably the worse defense in the NFL.
Still, the Bears do well on turf and they are playing another atrocious defense. This game may come down to which of the two horrible defenses plays less horribly.
Falcons Flubbing On Defense
After a hot start to the season, the Falcons have lost three of their last four games and they are looking like what most people expected them to be. Atlanta started the season 6-0 ATS and now they are 0-4 ATS in their last four games.
The Falcons’ offense leaves a ton to be desired. Marcus Mariota cannot throw the ball down the field so Atlanta focuses all their energy on the run game. They run the ball well and they average 160 rush yards per game, but having no resemblance to a passing game will hurt this team.
However, since they are facing the Bears’ defense, it may be inconsequential. When the game becomes a dropback passing game, the Falcons have no chance. But, when this team can control the clock, pound the rock, and maintain possession, that is how the Falcons win football games.
On defense, this team is one of the worst in the NFL. Atlanta allows over 400 yards per game, but they do a decent job minimizing the scoring against them.
The Falcons’ defense has no pass rush, their run defense is weak, and their passing defense is atrocious. The one good thing about this defense is they are serviceable in the red zone – they rank 16th in conversion percentage. However, in just about all other metrics, this defense ranks in the bottom 5 teams in the NFL.
Atlanta Falcons vs Chicago Bears Prediction
Such bad defenses automatically lead to a ton of scoring, right? Well, not necessarily. Given how these teams operate their offenses, there should be a ton of time ticking off the clock on every play.
Also, since these teams are so bad on defense, there will not be a huge need to throw the ball. Both of these teams make their bones on the ground, so I expect both of these teams to continue doing what they do best all game long.
Where I see value is on the Bears with the points. I have these two teams graded virtually equally, so I will snatch up the three points being offered on two evenly-matched teams.
Bet: Bears +3.5 or +3
Opening Line Report | NFL Week 11
Don’t just stop at this Houston Texans vs Washington Commanders betting pick! Listen to Teddy Covers and Drew Martin every Monday during the NFL season as they preview opening lines for next week’s games. This past Monday they previewed this clash between the Atlanta Falcons vs Chicago Bears among other games giving their expert betting analysis.
NFL Odds Board
WagerTalk’s Live Odds Screen features up-to-the-minute lines from a variety of offshore and domestic sports books. Track the NFL point spreads, totals and betting percentages for all of the Week 11 games, including this Atlanta Falcons vs Chicago Bears showdown, from your desktop or phone.
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Meet the Author
Eric Pauly, @slimeaction on Twitter, graduated from Binghamton University with a degree in Finance. Eric is a die-hard Washington Commanders and New York Knicks fan and enjoys watching and writing about the NFL, NBA and MLB. His favorite gambling movements include hitting a +1000 future on Washington to win the NFC East in 2020 and predicting Jonathan Taylor’s breakout season with a +900 ticket for him to win the 2021 NFL rushing title. Aside from the sports betting industry, and making a brilliant Cleveland Browns vs Los Angeles Chargers betting pick, Eric also enjoys good eats, dynasty fantasy football leagues, daily fantasy sports and playing the guitar.
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